View Rule

Statement of Need:

This proposed rule is needed to give poultry slaughter establishments the ability to operate under inspection systems and at line speeds that would allow them slaughter birds more efficiently without the need for a regulatory waiver while continuing to ensure food safety and effective FSIS online carcass inspection.  

Summary of the Legal Basis:

FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53), as specified in the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C 451 et seq.). This statute mandates that FSIS protect the public by verifying that poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged. The PPIA also requires, among other things, that [t]he Secretary [of Agriculture], whenever processing operations are being conducted, shall cause to be made by inspectors postmortem inspection of the carcasses of each bird processed (21 U.S.C. 455(b)). The PPIA provides that the Secretary shall promulgate such other rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of the statutes (21 U.S.C. 463(b)). 

Alternatives:

FSIS may consider alternatives during the development of the proposed rule. 

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

Risks:

If the Agency does not proceed with the proposed poultry line speed rule, establishments may continue to be unable to operate at full capacity. This could limit the number of birds processed each day, slow production, and create inefficiencies across the supply chain. Without a clear regulatory framework to increase line speeds, establishments may delay investments in modernization and may not operate under NPIS, which could reduce productivity, make it harder for the industry to respond to market demand, and increase Agency costs.